Back in 1999, writer-directors Larry and Andy Wachowski delivered the
first cyberepic in their phenomenal, philosophic, comic book-like
action-thriller trilogy that explores the nature of reality and the search for
truth. In "The Matrix," Neo (Keanu Reeves) a web hacker, realizes that the world
is a computer-generated illusion designed to keep humanity unaware that it's
simply the bioelectric energy source for a race of sentient machines. Armed with
this knowledge, he's transformed into The One, mankind's prophesied savior,
ready to wage war against the machines. He has become ultra-powerful because he
believes he is. His cohorts are the Resistance leader Morpheus (Laurence
Fisburne) and Trinity (Carrie-Ann Moss), the tough yet vulnerable warrior whom
Neo loves. Along with Morpheus' love Niobe (Jada Pinkett Smith), they're off to
defend Zion, the last human city buried deep near the Earth's core, against
200,000 menacing Sentinels. Advised by the Oracle (Gloria Foster) to find the
Key Maker (Randall Duk Kim) to gain access to the Matrix's mainframe, they
encounter sultry Persephone (Monica Belluci) and battle villainous, mechanized
Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) as well as new foes like the evil albino twins (Neil
and Adrian Rayment). It's all quite convoluted so don't look for easy
explanations.

The Wachowskis trigger contemporary paranoia, confuse with plot
complexity, then dazzle with stylized, gravity-defying stunts CGI sequences,
many involving their signature "bullet-time" effect. Best are an
adrenaline-pumping multi-vehicle freeway chase and a fight between Neo and 100
Agent Smith digital replicants. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, "Matrix
Reloaded" is a visually slick, action-packed 9, concluding with "Matrix
Revolutions" coming in November.